Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

77. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ask the Competition Authority to carry out a sectoral investigation into the pensions industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18097/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Competition Authority is the statutory independent body responsible for the enforcement of domestic and EU competition law in the State. Section 29(3) of the Competition Act 2002 provides that the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions, including carrying out investigations of anti-competitive practices. As investigations and enforcement matters generally are part of the day-to-day operational work of the Authority, I, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, have no direct function in the matter.

However, if the Deputy is using the term "investigations" in the broader sense of a study on a sector, Action 93 of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014 is about the identification of any sheltered areas of the economy where competition is restricted, with the intent to undertake analyses or studies in such areas where appropriate. I am aware the Competition Authority is already considering whether a study on pensions industry is warranted but that it is too early to indicate whether it will be chosen over other sectors. Should the Deputy have any information on the pensions industry that would assist in their consideration, the Deputy may wish provide the Competition Authority with it.